Environmental Influences: Whether it is through active behaviors or passive activity, humans are exposed to environmental risks affecting health and safety through a variety of interactions with their environment in everyday situations.

A. Physical influences include toxins, nutrition, sick buildings, noise pollution, second-hand smoke, and lead.

B. Social influences include violence, substance abuse, child-rearing practices, and poverty. A prevention activity to decrease aggression or violent behavior is teaching school-age children how to use appropriate social or pragmatic communication skills.

C. Nutrition and Health. Nutrition’s contributions to primary conditions leading to communication disorders among adults are numerous. Diet accounts for one third of cancer risk. Prenatally, nutrition greatly effects the fetus.

Transition Point: It is very important to consider the role that an individual’s culture plays in their involvement in any prevention efforts...